Video: “Dude” incident in Baltimore
posted at 6:20 pm on February 12, 2008 by Bryan
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
A Baltimore city policeman is under investigation after this video surfaced. It captures an incident that took place at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor last summer. The Inner Harbor is where Baltimore meets the upper Chesapeake pretty much head on, and it’s both the city’s main tourist attraction and one of its heavier crime areas. Visible police patrols have cut down on the latter. The kids in the video were evidently skateboarding in an area where that’s prohibited, when the officer pulled up and told them to stop.
It appears that the officer told everyone to stop skateboarding and was in the process of leaving. However, one kid had his IPOD playing in his ears and probably didn’t hear him. After the kid is told again to stop skateboarding, he talks to the officer disrespectfully. The officer goes to confiscate his skateboard but the kid doesn’t comply, which leads to the officer forcefully collecting it from him. The kid obviously didn’t show any respect to the officer and deserved to get pushed around, while the officer obviously has some attitude (and probably authority complex) problems he needs to work out.
WBAL has a story about the suspension here.
Sterling Clifford, a spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department and the mayor’s office, says the incident involving Officer Salvatore Rivieri, a 17-year-old [sic] veteran, is the subject of an internal affairs investigation.
The video, apparently shot last summer, shows Rivieri putting the youth, 14-year-old Eric Bush, into a headlock and pushing him to the ground.
Rivieri told The Sun on Sunday that he did not know that the incident had been recorded or posted on the Internet. He acknowledged having encounters with skateboarders at the Inner Harbor, where skateboarding is banned, last summer, and told a reporter that he would watch the video on YouTube.
What do you think?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 4 Next »
Skateboarding is not a crime, unless you do it in restricted areas and make yourself a nuisance.
Theworldisnotenough on February 12, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Dude…
Jaibones on February 12, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Can’t tell what’s going on outside the frame when the cop tries to take the skateboard, but it doesn’t look good.
Kids. And cops.
Vizzini on February 12, 2008 at 6:28 PM
If the ipod kid was my son, he would write a thank you note to Officer Rivieri, and enclose his ipod and skateboard along with a request that the policeman donate them to some other, decent and deserving kid.
RushBaby on February 12, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Gitmo anyone under 17.
Limerick on February 12, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Har!
RushBaby on February 12, 2008 at 6:30 PM
The officer was totally out of line. Maybe he wouldn’t be so cranky if they didn’t make them wear those stupid outfits.
Buy Danish on February 12, 2008 at 6:30 PM
I’m a big supporter of the cops, but that guy was an a-hole.
D2Boston on February 12, 2008 at 6:30 PM
One thing you learn in law enforcement these days, a 14 year old can kill you just as fast as a 24 year old
jed58 on February 12, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Fat pig should either arrest him or shut up. His job is to protect and serve, not lecture and act like a bad-ass (which he aint.)
I can’t stand to see a fat ass cop.
What a joke.
He demands respect and doesn’t respect himself enough to work out and lay off the flippin’ donuts.
I hold professional law officers in extremely high regard but pukes like this give good cops a bad name.
He should be walking his beat and loose some weight instead of driving his fat boy hoveround.
TheSitRep on February 12, 2008 at 6:32 PM
My name is Officer Rivieri! And I live in a van… down by the harbor!
flip on February 12, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Cop was waaaaay out of line. Save it for the criminals.
Shay on February 12, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Arrest anyone on a skateboard.
Arrest anyone driving a Camaro.
whitetop on February 12, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Holy crap does this cop have some serious issues.
It’s Farva, on the frickin’ loose in B-More.
Looks like the cop was having a really bad day when these kids stepped in it by not listening and not treating him with the respect he felt he should be receiving… short pants, tee-shirt, and three-wheel, Green Machine Cop Mobile notwithstanding. The cop was totally out of line in going ballistic, and I’m betting he ‘cops’ to that. I see both sides though, as he’s probably delt with about fifteen thousand of the ‘punk kids’ and has had enough of their attitude.
Nobody was hurt, and once again- a video camera brings both sides equally to our attention.
I want one of those three-wheel, Green Machine Cop Mobiles though. For real.
ChipDWood on February 12, 2008 at 6:35 PM
This just makes me hate police officers even more.
This guy had no concern for the public who he is paid to protect. He just wanted to yell at somebody and act the tough guy. What. A. Putz. I hope he’s fired. Ticket the kids for loitering; ticket the kids for skateboarding in an improper venue; but don’t you dare take a hand to a child who poses you no threat. What a shameful excuse for a human being.
Why should anyone respect a police officer with guys like him setting an example? Ugh. Disgusting.
HebrewToYou on February 12, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Calling an officer “dude”, especially when you’re that young, is hardly deserving of the headlock and getting pushed around. He wasn’t back-talking. Unfortunately, the kid’s adolescent vocabulary didn’t help. But that guy needs to be suspended and then sued. I back the badge but not when they don’t back us. If they were that rough with a black kid, he’d be apologizing to Jesse Jackson and the nation right now.
BirdEye on February 12, 2008 at 6:37 PM
The cop was 100% right, in what he was saying.
These punks need to get slapped around some, obviously nobody is doing it at home.
Vigilante on February 12, 2008 at 6:38 PM
I always give the benefit of the doubt to the cops… But the cop was clearly wrong here. What a d**k. Maybe people disrespect his shorts or clown car and he just took it out on the wrong person, but there was no excuse for that crap. I’ve got to say, I’d probably have been laughing at him at that age… Some days I might have been scared, but I like to think that on most occasions I’d have laughed and said “are you going to arrest me, or keep complaining about my use of the word ‘dude’?”
I’m not saying that kids can skateboard wherever they want… but this didn’t even have to be an incident. The cop made it one. This guy’s wife must be terrified every day when he gets home from work.
RightWinged on February 12, 2008 at 6:38 PM
So you pull up in a clown car, dressed like Humpty-Dumpty and start tossing around kids in Jr. High. I wonder what El Whoppo does with actual criminals?
If I was that kids father and saw this tape, that plump policeman would be getting a boot up his ass.
Hening on February 12, 2008 at 6:38 PM
He has to wear those shorts and drive that stupid little cart — so he had to do something to beef up his macho bonafides, and I guess picking on little boys was just what the doctor ordered.
Bad Penny on February 12, 2008 at 6:38 PM
I’m a strong supporter of law enforcement, but that cop is a total douche-bag with a major chip on his shoulder.
Alalazoo on February 12, 2008 at 6:39 PM
You’re joking, right?
Bad Penny on February 12, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Yes, I hear calling people “dude” is often fatal.
Excellent point. Also add to that at least a week of cable news media hype of the event.
RightWinged on February 12, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Officer lard-ass looks like Det. Jay Landsman from “The Wire” in a ‘roid rage.
Travis Bickle on February 12, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Pick on somebody your own size, Dude.
Cop should have to wear a sign: “I was rude to this boy. I can’t come to work. I’m sorry.”
davidk on February 12, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Ummm… Dude… don’t you know like… know.. the Constitution???
Can you say illegal search and SEIZURE!
The cop CANNOT take property without due process, which he did not have.
Like… dude… ever hear of Property Rights??? its like.. ya know… the basis of the whole Constitution…
Romeo13 on February 12, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Officer Salvatore Rivieri was heard to say that sometimes “he sits in his electric car and cries“.
Sammy316 on February 12, 2008 at 6:43 PM
I think the cop should get an award = Not one curse word!
Go Rivera GO!
iam7545 on February 12, 2008 at 6:43 PM
btw, a lot of people are attacking the cop for his shorts and clown car and I have to separate my comment from theirs’… I wouldn’t make fun of that… A cop is a cop and I’m sure he has respectable colleagues. But I suspect he DOES get mocked, which is why I mentioned it, because it’s possible he blew his fuse over it at the wrong time/people.
RightWinged on February 12, 2008 at 6:44 PM
“You got that camera on? If I find…”
Punked, Herr Officer.
I respect law enforcement and the police in general, but there are far too many authoritarian douchebags like that cop who think that “To protect and serve” means “protect and serve yourself”.
Giving the kid a lecture? Fine. Getting physical, threatening and an overall prick? Not fine.
Hollowpoint on February 12, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Dude needs to take a serious chill pill. Skateboarding is not the same as mugging old ladys.
Dude would be much happier if we were alive during Hitler’s Germay.
Roger Waters on February 12, 2008 at 6:44 PM
I think if that cop and Fred somehow fused (a la The Fly perhaps), the country would be a much better place.
ggoofer on February 12, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Dude. He didn’t DO anything to the cop. The officer flipped out!
True dat.
At least those kids were exercising. That fat cop should follow suit.
HebrewToYou on February 12, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Wow, while I’m glad to see this now tilting more towards my line of thinking (it’s obvious the cop was way out of line – which I rarely say)… I’m still shocked at how many people are like “yeah, go Rivera!”… What is wrong with you people?
RightWinged on February 12, 2008 at 6:45 PM
It is like this. If that cop was 6″4″, physically fit and behaved with the absolute professionalism like a Texas State Trooper. Those boys would behave differently.
The humpty-dumpty suit and clown car doesn’t engender a whole lot of respect.
TheSitRep on February 12, 2008 at 6:45 PM
I blame Polly Shore.
-
deesine on February 12, 2008 at 6:46 PM
A big, fat jerk like him should be mercilessly shamed for any and every reason.
It’s not a police officer’s job to lecture kids either! Either he issues them a ticket or he goes on his way. He is not a teacher; he is not a principal; he is not a parent. He is to serve the public, and this video shows him doing no such thing.
HebrewToYou on February 12, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Re-read what I said. I said what he SAID was 100% accurate. I didn’t say what he DID was right.
And yes the “not getting enough slapping around at home” was semi-sarcastic.
Vigilante on February 12, 2008 at 6:49 PM
This cop should be known from here on as Officer El Asso Whipo.
TheSitRep on February 12, 2008 at 6:49 PM
You sir deserve an award. Great comment.
JustinHiggins on February 12, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Officer: “I’m not ‘Man’, I’m not ‘Dude’….I’m Officer Rivieri”
Boarder: “Ok, bro”
dont taze me bro on February 12, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Baltimore Harbor is a real nice place especially Fells Point.
The cop has an anger management problem to be sure.
Don’t Call Me Dude
Kini on February 12, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Cops like Moby Dude here give peace officers a bad rap. I’m sure his brother policemen cringed when they saw this. More bad PR for the police. Shameful.
realitycheck on February 12, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Comment of the day.
lowandslow on February 12, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Dude! Have you been out in society lately? That is 75% of what a cop’s job is now days. Thats just the way it is…dude.
Vigilante on February 12, 2008 at 6:52 PM
One thing you learn in law enforcement these days, to assess the situation and react accordingly.
This officer did neither, he was a jerk. Physically manhandling a 14 yr. old…he does not have the skills to diffuse a situation, or the skills to enforce the laws with respect. He is the one who dishonored the badge and uniform.
Send him to anger management school, it will piss him off.
right2bright on February 12, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Yep you are right, that kids Dad should have been giving that sh-thead some regular whippins.
TheSitRep on February 12, 2008 at 6:52 PM
The kid was a punk but the cop was an asshole. At least the kid has a semi-excuse of being youg, the cop is a grown-up and should know better.
Afterimage on February 12, 2008 at 6:52 PM
If that’s the official uniform chosen by the City of Baltimore they need to rethink it. All that’s missing from that outfit are some antennae and wings.
Buy Danish on February 12, 2008 at 6:52 PM
My name is Officer Salvatore Rivieri and I wanna know, have you kicked a dog today?
Kini on February 12, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Anyone who thinks the cop is right in this has mental problem.
He’s a city cop not a city bully. 10 bucks says he has a very small member.
Diogenes of Sinope on February 12, 2008 at 6:54 PM
The kid can call the cop whatever he damn well wants to, or even say nothing at all. It’s called freedom of speech, and you don’t lose it just because it’s cop who’s being a prick to you. And no, even yelling back at a cop who’s abusing his authority is not “resisting arrest”.
NorthernCross on February 12, 2008 at 6:55 PM
That kid should have just walked away swiftly. That fatassed cop would have never caught him.
TheSitRep on February 12, 2008 at 6:57 PM
This cop, like most cops, is deluded by the power the badge. And when you give a-holes like this power, they can’t resist the urge to use it. The kid was skateboarding, big f–kin’ deal. A responsible pig says “Guys, go skateboard somewhere else, or I’ll confiscate thos boards next time I see you”. Then he should continue patrolling. Headlocking the kid, who was about 200 lbs. lighter than this pig was unnecessary. The cop needs an anger management class. The kid is now not gonna trust a cop and I don’t blame him. Instead of making a friend of the police, this pig just made an enemy. Well done officer sh!t-for-brains.
Andy in Agoura Hills on February 12, 2008 at 6:59 PM
and am I the only one who noticed that a very large angry man WITH A GUN ON HIS HIP told the kid if he didn’t shut up he’d end up dead?
If I where the kid’s parent, I’d own his house and a large hunk of the city by now.
Diogenes of Sinope on February 12, 2008 at 7:01 PM
You just keep turning up, don’t you!
Kid was out of line. Cop was out of line. I like RushBaby’s idea of the kid giving his stuff away to the needy, but the cop does not deserve a thank you. He needs anger management seriously!
ihasurnominashun on February 12, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Haha. My only point was that I don’t think attacking him for his uniform was necessary. I knew the bike cops in Nashville, and they wore shorts (though their outfits were still a lot better than this overall). My point was that the particular patrol he’s on may require him to wear the uniform he is and I’m not going to attack him for that part of his job when there are good cops who might have to wear the same thing. There is plenty of reason to hate on him without going after parts of his job, but I mention it in my original post because I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a lot of disrespect because of it and incorrectly let loose on this poor kid.
RightWinged on February 12, 2008 at 7:01 PM
With every vid of police that’s posted, I’m confronted with more evidence that most HotAir commenters are children every bit as immature and disrespectful of authority as this nitwit skateboarder.
Not that I needed additional evidence.
Splashman on February 12, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Officer “Dude” Riviera is a douchebag and should face disciplinary action. He was way out of line.
The best part about this post was the strategic use of the word “dude”. You guys really crack me up.
Baphomet on February 12, 2008 at 7:03 PM
I’m glad to see that we are mostly in agreement here. I support police and teach my children to be repectful of them, and I used to teach high school and know how frustrating kids can be. That said, the poor kid wasn’t even particularly out of line. His reaction time to obeying the cops commands were slow, and he protested the taking of his skateboard when he should have been quiet, but mostly he was just a kid being a kid. His friends were giving him excellent advice and he should have listened.
I would take my son’s skateboard for skating where the law says he shouldn’t, but I’d be after that cop as well. No one talks to my kids like that, and certainly no one touches them like that. Especially not on such slight provocation.
TX Mom on February 12, 2008 at 7:04 PM
LOL. Excellent.
Bad Penny on February 12, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Cop cleary has an ego problem. Kid obviously has never respected any authority figure in his life. A cop lecturing him, even if for the wrong reasons, could do him a favor some day.
American-Infidels.com on February 12, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Gosh, don’t these kids listen to NWA anymore. My generation knows the deal on the 5-0.
VolMagic on February 12, 2008 at 7:06 PM
.
Officer Baggadoucha
dont taze me bro on February 12, 2008 at 7:06 PM
To lecture kids? Dude. That’s absurd. Issue a ticket and be on your way. Judges deliver lectures; officers do not.
HebrewToYou on February 12, 2008 at 7:07 PM
When I was 16 I had a little trouble with the law. He said “Boy come here” I said “Boy, yourself. I ain’t done nothing wrong”. He grabbed me by the arm and laid me one upside my head. Nobody saw nothing but I got a little spot where my hair ain’t growed back yet.
-DriveBy Truckers, Guitar Man Upstairs
Barntender on February 12, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Officer reporting for dudddy. Looks like he stepped in his own duddy.
Dude, lose some weight, you are the biggest loser…
right2bright on February 12, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Why would you listen to anything that cop had to say?
1) He drives a clown car.
2) He wears a ridiculous uniform.
3) He has nothing better to do than abuse and harass a teenager.
4) He’s quite overweight.
Oh, I know why he’d listen. Because a guy with a frickin’ gun threatened him! Great lesson to teach the kid: violence solves everything. Flippin’ disgusting behavior from that cop. He ought to be fired.
HebrewToYou on February 12, 2008 at 7:10 PM
If the video continued, I’m sure we’d have heard, “Don’t taze me, dude!”
mattshu on February 12, 2008 at 7:11 PM
I mostly cant stand cops, that said the cop didn’t make it an incident, the kid did. When a cop orders you to do something really it isn’t optional.
Sorry dude, but yes I do know the constitution and there was no illegal search and SEIZURE, the cop caught the kid in the act of violating the law, all the cop needed was this little thing called probable cause, and witnessing the commission of a crime trumps probable cause. The moment that kid resisted the cop he committed a second criminal act, it’s called failure to comply. In most states that’s a felony, the cop could have arrested the kid right then and there.
Was the cops attitude excessive? Without a doubt, but sadly it wasn’t sufficiently excessive enough to so much as receive a verbal warning. The cop was an asshole, but he was also an asshole fully within the authority vested in him by the city of Baltimore, and that above and beyond everything else is what sucks about his behavior.
doriangrey on February 12, 2008 at 7:12 PM
mattshu on February 12, 2008 at 7:11 PM
As the video ends, you can hear the cop say, “Is that camera on? I don’t…” I’m sure the rest of that sentence was “see myself on youtube.” Ha.
Fatty Fatty cop cop.
VolMagic on February 12, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Look. I drove a school bus for 14 yrs. There’s ways of dealing with kids. That kid was just bein’. The cop’s a bully and I don’t suffer bullies.
davidk on February 12, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Yup . . .Mega dittos
Double Yup ! !
Texyank on February 12, 2008 at 7:14 PM
I noticed it and it was a really unhinged thing to say.
Buy Danish on February 12, 2008 at 7:14 PM
I’m telling you, dude, Farva lives.
ChipDWood on February 12, 2008 at 7:15 PM
doriangrey on February 12, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Yeah man, you gotta respect the law and order and all.
But when some overweight Napoleon starts seeing his beat as his beat instead of a job, you end up with the type of jerk who has to dominate kids 1/3 his age and 1/8 his weight to make him feel big and bad.
VolMagic on February 12, 2008 at 7:15 PM
“If you go around doing this kind of stuff, someone’s gonna kill you.”
He’s over the top. I hate punks as much as anyone (actually, a lot more than everyone else), but the cop did not handle this even remotely well. I don’t have a problem with the physicality, per se, but he clearly wasn’t being professional.
He could have threatened or actually charged disorderly conduct and put cuffs on him, but screaming at him for calling him dude (”A ‘dude’ is someone who works on a ranch!”) reeks of being unhinged.
Nessuno on February 12, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Teenager engaging in an activity in an area where signs are posted outlining why the activity is against city ordinances who sneeringly retorts to the police “Dude, I didn’t hear you” when the officer asks him to stop the illegal activity the teen most likely knows is illegal = First Amendment hero
Policeman enforcing those city ordinances = “prick,” “disgusting,” “jerk,” “pig,” “asshole,” “fatass,” and “bully”
By this reasoning the other teenagers (especially the one just off camera who told our First Amendment Hero to “shut up”) are apparently all unpatriotic and weak proles with no guts to stand up to wicked and abusive authority.
And lo, in the distance… I can hear the whup-whup-whup of the black helicopters coming to deploy the shock troops of the New World Order’s police state who are here to shed the Constitution and steal our lawn furniture.
ScottMcC on February 12, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Roger, that is you! How’s your inflatible pig doing? Planning on taking to any concerts in the Middle East?
Mallard T. Drake on February 12, 2008 at 7:18 PM
How’s that? He repeatedly said that he hadn’t heard the officer.
Buy Danish on February 12, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Actually, you’re wrong. Police Officers cannot order you to do anything they wish. They have authority, but their authority is quite limited.
Again, you’re not required by law to obey every order given to you by a police officer. The officer could certainly have arrested the kid for violating a legitimate order, but did he do so? No. He attacked the kid, stole his skateboard, and then lectured him. That. Is. Not. His. Job.
Not only unhinged but likely considered assault.
HebrewToYou on February 12, 2008 at 7:21 PM
You know I know there are alot of good cops out there, but I sure meet alot of bad ones, or see reports on them. This guy is being a jerk, trying to throw his weight around.
spacekicker on February 12, 2008 at 7:22 PM
It’s a different world they live in. They are the scions of liberal-dominated America. God help them (and us). These are the out-of-control punks in the malls swearing their heads off and telling adults who ask them to stop to go f- themselves. There are the kids who will disrespect you and your family because they know there are no consequences. These are the kids who threaten to call the cops on their parents if they dare discipline them.
They want the cops to act like doormen. Fine. Good luck then when the day comes they need a real cop to risk his/her own life to save theirs or their families because the beta cops they’re looking for will just sympathize with them over their loss after it’s all over.
TheBigOldDog on February 12, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Scott, he should have written the kid a ticket. That’s his job. It’s not to steal skateboards, use unnecessary force on a minor, or to deliver a lecture. The kid may have done wrong, but whatever wrong was done is irrelevant when compared to the actions of the officer.
What absurd immaturity, recklessness and abuse of authority.
HebrewToYou on February 12, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Er, not precisely true. If the cop tells you to shut up, he better have a damn good reason. If not, then you absolutely do not have to comply. Certainly not if the only reason why he’s telling you to shut up is because he doesn’t like what you’re saying.
NorthernCross on February 12, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Watch the very beginning again. The one kid (closest to the officer) says “I told them we had to leave and he wouldn’t listen” or something along those lines. They knew, the kid just wanted to be a punk, and picked the wrong officer to be one to.
Vigilante on February 12, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Why all the cries of foul play? The kid had a holier than though attitude and assumed he could talk to a cop in such a disrespectful way. The officer was right, it’s not “dude”, it’s “Officer”. The kids further defiance and refusal to adhere to the commands of the cop resulted in him getting a tongue lashing.
If the kid had spoken like he should have to the officer and complied with the instructions, the officer would have just made sure they were leaving and then left them alone.
The kid deserved some or at least most of the tongue lashing he received. What was that business about refusing to give up his skateboard to the cop? That’s called resisting. Who is stupid enough to resist a cop and then not expect to get his asses whopped in one way or the other.
I have to give it to the officer, he was extremely patient with the kid, despite his tone of voice. Would he have talked so much to an older person, say an adult? I think not. It would have been tango time with the patty wagon a comin’.
To reiterate, the cop was in the right, the kid was a dumbass and doesn’t know anything about respect. The kid deserved a good tongue lashing and I’m glad he was embarrassed in front of his friends and public.
Weebork on February 12, 2008 at 7:25 PM
I will add that I predict he will be cleared of any wrongdoing in the investigation. Just like that state trooper that tased that “what is wrong with you?” idiot in a Hot Air post last month or so.
Weebork on February 12, 2008 at 7:27 PM
I have heard often that a lot of men become Cops because they have small wieners and they are notorious for beating their wives.
TheSitRep on February 12, 2008 at 7:27 PM
He meant dead because there are people in this world who will kill you if you treat them that disrespectfully. He didn’t mean from the police. And if you don’t think what that cop told him is 100% just read the newspapers for the next week and count them number of people killed in the streets over matters of respect.
TheBigOldDog on February 12, 2008 at 7:29 PM
Weebork on February 12, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Guys, a cop can’t do something to you just because you say something disrespectfully. Seriously, why would something as important as the right to free speech all of a sudden disappear just because there’s a cop around?
NorthernCross on February 12, 2008 at 7:30 PM
I agree that the cop was over the top and over-reacted to the situation. What we don’t know if this was the “20th” time in a week he had to chase them out of there or what other context there might have been that could have set him off.
I agree with the cop about one thing, this kid never had his parent(s) drill it into him to respect authority. My son had some encounters with the police over traffic violations and tried to be a smart ass and then complained later about the treatment he received after lipping off. I set him straight very quickly that he was to show respect to the police, if not for their authority and the job they have to do, at least as the way to minimize any hassles. I am hoping the lesson took.
Mallard T. Drake on February 12, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Dude, a clear case of projection. Stop giving yourself away.
Mallard T. Drake on February 12, 2008 at 7:33 PM
BigOldDog,
Yep. That’s what the cop meant. He didn’t personally threaten the kid, he was trying to teach the kid some lessons about civility and respect. Act that hard-headed, as the kid was to the cop, to the right (or should I say wrong person) and they will beat the crap out of you –or worse.
I’m almost willing to bet money that after the kid got home, he was coddled by his parents in some fashion. Was probably brought to the store so he could buy a video game or a new skateboard or something. Essentially, his parents are going to ensure the kid learned nothing from his run in from the cop (either that or just learn how mean and power hungry those “pig” cops are!)
Weebork on February 12, 2008 at 7:35 PM
and am I the only one who noticed that a very large angry man WITH A GUN ON HIS HIP told the kid if he didn’t shut up he’d end up dead?
Diogenes of Sinope on February 12, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Isn’t that a crime in of itself? I bet he wouldn’t have said the same thing if it was an adult, or someone more his size. Besides respect is a two way street, He was way over the line.
deadbackpacker on February 12, 2008 at 7:35 PM
NorthernCross, keep tellin’ it like it is. Cops don’t have the right to order you to do what THEY want. They are there to enforce the law, not lecture skateboarders and push down children. Lectures are for judges to deliver.
Respect is a two-way street. What did that cop do (besides carry a badge and gun) to deserve any respect at all?
HebrewToYou on February 12, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Judging by the uniform and happy cart, Officer Dude is a meter maid — and a 17-year veteran. Kicking punk butt makes him relive his dream of being a Good Fella up in Jersey …
laelaps on February 12, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Here is another thought. The kid is 14 and probably lives on a mental diet of MTV and tunes. He sees and hears the cop-hatin’ attitude all day in his little world and thinks that is reality. The first time he tries to act out said attitude on a real cop, he meets the harsh reality fast. Another bit of innocence lost.
Mallard T. Drake on February 12, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Someone please tell me exactly why I (Or anyone else) must respect a police officer any more or less than a lineman? Or a garbage man for that matter.
Oldnuke on February 12, 2008 at 7:38 PM
i spent a couple years as one of those kids, but in Yonkers, NY, and lemme tell u, a cop ever yells at me for calling him dude and me and all my friends woulda laughed our way to jail. plus we woulda known better than to just sit around while a cop puts his hands on one of us for no reason, especially with a camera there.
I mean, cops have beat up my friends before, but if i ever had evidence, ohhh man
ernesto on February 12, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 4 Next »